BRITISH media group Trinity Mirror fired the long-serving editors of its flagship daily and Sunday tabloids yesterday, saying that it was moving to a seven-day publishing model to improve efficiency.

The company, which is also seeking a new chief executive, appointed Lloyd Embley, previously editor of its Sunday tabloid 'The People', to edit both titles.

Chief executive Sly Bailey said earlier this month she would step down at the end of the year after a shareholder revolt over pay.

"Richard Wallace and Tina Weaver will leave the company with immediate effect," Trinity Mirror said. "The decision is a further step towards creating one of the most technologically advanced and operationally efficient newsrooms in Europe."

Mr Wallace became editor of the 'Daily Mirror' in 2004, succeeding Piers Morgan, who was fired for publishing false images of British soldiers in Iraq.

Hacking

Mr Morgan, now host of a US chat show, has been accused of showing other journalists how to hack phones -- the illegal practice that brought down Rupert Murdoch's 'News of the World'.

He has denied authorising phone-hacking during his editorship.

Ms Weaver had been editor of the 'Sunday Mirror' since 2001.

Trinity Mirror said it has carried out a review of its editorial controls and has obtained written confirmation from its senior editorial executives that they have not engaged in phone-hacking or bribery.